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Thursday, April 8, 2021 | View as Webpage
REOPEN CA, SACRAMENTO SUMMIT, DISNEYLAND TICKETS, UCI'S $1B BRILLIANT FUTURE, DELTA CONVEYANCE PROJECT, AND MORE! 
HOT OFF THE PRESS
MAJORITY OF COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS MAY DISAPPEAR BY JUNE 15:*  
  • Gov. Newsom announced on Tuesday plans to fully reopen CA by Moving Beyond the Blueprint. On June 15, regardless of county tier, CA can fully reopen as long as there is sufficient vaccine supply and hospitalizations are stable and low. The new plan calls for pre-pandemic capacity at businesses, no required social distancing and schools at full capacity! Common-sense risk reduction measures such as masks and vaccinations would still be in place. Book a vaccine today! 

SPECIAL RECAP: OCBC HOSTS EXCLUSIVE MEETINGS AT “ONE VOICE, TWO CAPITOLS” SACRAMENTO ADVOCACY SUMMIT:*
In lieu of its annual trip to Sacramento, OCBC members “Zoomed” with 12 State leaders and elected officials this week! See below for highlights from Day One and stay tuned for Day Two’s recap in the next E-Indicator.

  • Gabe Petek, Legislative Analyst gave an overview of California’s budget, describing the large and unexpected one-time revenue surplus and the Governor’s proposal to add an unprecedented $19 billion increase in resources to K-14 education.
  • Secretary of State Shirley Weber shared her plans for applying her education background to increase civic engagement in California. Secretary Weber also reported her office is seeing as many new businesses starting up in California as the number closing or leaving the state, so OCBC will work with her to identify insights for keeping and attracting businesses.
  • Governor’s Office of Planning and Research Director Kate Gordon described California’s climate resilience initiatives and how to balance them with economic priorities. OCBC will follow up with her office to share info from OC businesses and builders dealing with added development challenges and costs from SB 743, a law requiring mitigation of vehicle miles traveled.
  • CalSTA Secretary David Kim and CTC Chair Hilary Norton talked with OCBC about the Climate Action Plan for Transportation Infrastructure (CAPTI) and how to increase the business community’s voice in CAPTI’s development. OCBC recently led a statewide coalition of business groups asking for more private sector involvement, and CTC and CalSTA will now host a series of workshops for industry leaders to participate in. Stay tuned for details!
  • Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell, who serves as Chair of the Education Committee, spoke about his efforts working to reopen schools safely. He addressed the pandemic’s impact on SoCal ports and his collaboration with the logistics industry on a balanced and diverse energy approach to meeting state climate goals.
  • Senate Majority Leader Bob Hertzberg outlined the need to “get back to the basics” and focus legislation on the most critical priorities: economic recovery; housing and homelessness; fixing the EDD crisis; and closing the digital divide.

Join OCBC on April 27 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.for the Washington, D.C. Advocacy Summit—register HERE. Thank you to all sponsors, attendees and speakers!

DISNEYLAND WILL RESUME TICKET SALES ON APRIL 15:* 
  • Theme park ticket sales for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure will return at 8 a.m. on April 15. Admission will be limited to in-state residents, reservations will be required, and capacity will be limited. Opportunities for advanced online reservations solely for visitors with previously purchased tickets will begin at 8 a.m. on April 12. Read more.

UCI EXCEEDS $1 BILLION IN GIFTS FOR BRILLIANT FUTURE CAMPAIGN:* 
  • UC Irvine’s Brilliant Future campaign aims to advance the American dream for students, transform healthcare and wellness, accelerate world-changing research, and explore the human experience. With the help of alumni and friends UCI raised more than $1 billion to support scholarships, groundbreaking research, top-notch patient care and world-class educational facilities, among other initiatives. 

DELTA CONVEYANCE PROJECT WILL HELP OC ECONOMY:* 
  • The Delta Conveyance Project will enhance the reliability of California’s water supply by improving the state’s water delivery system, shoring up seismic risks, and restoring habitat. Read more about how everyone wins with this crucial project from Municipal Water District of Orange County’s Board President, Sat Tamaribuchi.  

OCTA CELEBRATES EARTH DAY:* 
  • Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is committed to a culture of sustainability and actively works to protect OC’s air, land, water, and community. Earth Day may be April 22 but OCTA plans to celebrate all month long. Follow OCTA on social media for fun facts, project updates, and future plans to create healthier, happier lives. 
ADVOCACY UPDATE
BIASC OP-ED: NEW GREENPRINT THREATENS TO UNDERMINE REGIONAL HOUSING EFFORTS: 
  • Could a new “Greenprint” by Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) spur more lawsuits targeting housing? This proposed tool to guide land-use decisions and transportation projects has lacked thorough input from business and housing stakeholders. Building Industry Association of Southern California (BIASC) published an op-ed outlining how SCAG’s Greenprint could create a flawed database of property data that opponents of housing could use to sue or delay projects. 

CBIA RELEASES STATE HOUSING BILL PRIORITIES:  
  • The CA Building Industry Association (CBIA) released its annual Housing Killers and Creators - a list of bills currently moving through the State Legislature expected to help spur much needed housing development, or inhibit it. Read the full list here and check OCBC’s website for key positions. 

BUSINESS RESOURCES
CALIFORNIA-BAJA CALIFORNIA IT & AEROSPACE: VIRTUAL TRADE MISSION PROGRAM:*  
  • Join GO-Biz, the US Commercial Service, and the United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce on May 3, 4 and 6 to hear from potential business partners, government officials and prime contractors in Baja California. Opportunities include the ability to discover and plug into current supply chain market. Register by April 21.  

ICYMI: HOW TO BOOST YOUR BUSINESS ON FACEBOOK:  
  • Last month, Facebook held a “Boost your Business” event with OCBC and Senator Umberg’s Office. If you didn’t catch the event, download this comprehensive resource guide for small businesses from Facebook. 
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
OC BUS OFFERS RIDES TO COVID-19 VACCINATION SITES:* 
  • OCTA aims to encourage vaccinations by offering affordable direct travel options through OC Bus to the county’s vaccination sites in Anaheim, Santa Ana and Aliso Viejo.  View a map of the vaccine sites served by the OC Bus here. An OC bus ride cost $2, or $5 for a day pass, which includes transfers. Download the OC Bus app for more information.  

JOIN GIRL SCOUTS OF OC FOR 10TH ANNUAL VOICE FOR GIRLS FORUM:
  • Girl Scouts of Orange County’s 10th Annual Voice for Girls forum, The Power of the All-Female Environment in Fueling Female Leaders, presented by Angels Baseball, is Friday, May 7, 2021 from 9:00-10:00 a.m. Click HERE to learn more and register for this FREE virtual event. To recognize a colleague paving the way for women in the workplace, learn about our Spotlight Sponsorship and other sponsorship opportunities HERE.
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
BANK OF AMERICA INCREASES COMMITMENT TO ADVANCE RACIAL EQUALITY AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY TO $1.25 BILLION:*
  • Bank of America announced that it has increased its $1 billion, four-year commitment to advance racial equality and economic opportunity to $1.25 billion over five years. This effort further accelerates work already underway to address racial equality and opportunity through direct actions, investments and work to catalyze similar efforts across the private sector. 

JOIN HOAG FOR A DISCUSSION ON THE LATEST ADVANCEMENTS IN CANCER CARE:
  • Don’t miss a virtual presentation from Hoag clinicians on the latest advancements in cancer care, discussing how these therapies and technologies are further shaping the meaning of personalized cancer treatment. Register and learn more here! Presenters Include:
  • Gary Ulaner, M.D., Ph.D. - Hoag Radiologist & Nuclear Medicine Physician - Director of Hoag Molecular Imaging & Therapy Program
  • Peter Chen, M.D. - Hoag Radiation Oncologist - ViewRay MRIdian Linear Accelerator
  • Sourat Darabi, Ph.D., M.S. - Clinical Genomics Scientist/Educator - Hoag Center for Applied Genomic Technologies
  • Special Patient Testimonial - Discussing how molecular imaging at Hoag has greatly impacted their cancer journey. 
UPCOMING EVENTS AND MEETINGS
OCBC EVENTS
May 20 | 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Join OCBC’s Economic Development Forum Series, Part 1, Safe Travels to hear from industry experts on the return of tourism, travel, leisure and transportation industries in OC.  
Contact Lauren Martin, OCBC Events Manager, for more information. 

April 27 | 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Join OCBC for an exclusive opportunity to hear from top elected officials and federal leaders.
For more information contact Jennifer Ward, OCBC Sr. V.P., Advocacy and Government Affairs.

COMMITTEE MEETINGS
April 14 | 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Register with Jesse Ben-Ron, OCBC V.P., Economic and Workforce Development.

May 7 | 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Register with Jennifer Ward, OCBC Sr. V.P., Advocacy and Government Affairs.
NOT AN OCBC MEMBER? JOIN TODAY!
Join OCBC and connect with the most influential companies and top executives actively engaged in creating a pro-business environment and prosperous economy. Hundreds of Orange County's leading businesses, cities and non-profit organizations represent an elite group from every industry cluster. But we need YOUR VOICE! For more info, contact Natalie Rubalcava, OCBC Chief Operating Officer.